The Corsham Area Board met to discuss local priorities, funding, and updates from partners. Councillors agreed to support the priorities and actions outlined in the Priority and Action Plan - Corsham Oct 25, which focus on young people, food poverty, renewable energy, employment for people with complex needs, and social value opportunities. The board also considered grant applications and reviewed recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG).

Area Board Funding

The Corsham Area Board considered several grant applications.

• Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre - The board considered a request for £2,500 towards the £15,000 cost of a new community van. The van is essential for collecting and transporting resources for schools, community groups, and delivering craft project boxes to low-income families.
• Inclusive Intergenerational Dance - The board considered a request for £2,033 towards a £5,676 project called 'My Space', a well-being group at Corsham School using Dance Movement Psychotherapy[^1] to support young people struggling with mental health. [^1]: Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) uses movement and dance to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual.
• Community Support - The board considered a request from Community Support for £1,000 towards a £10,462 mental health and wellbeing project at the Services Cotswold Centre (SCC) in Neston. The project supports military families residing at the SCC with activities and emotional support. This grant was approved via delegated authority in July 2025.
• The Brunel Shed - The board considered a request for £1,500 towards £3,000 of equipment for new craft and technology sessions, including laser cutting, engraving, and 3D printing. The aim is to attract younger members and those referred by social care organisations.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board reviewed the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 17 September 2025, as detailed in the Corsham LHFIG MINUTES SEPTEMBER 2025. Key items discussed included:

• Waiting Restrictions 2024 Batch 002: Issues in Park Lane, Corsham, including parking near Chestnut Grange and Purleigh Road. The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% of the £4,050 cost, with Corsham Town Council (CTC) covering the remaining 25%. An additional £500 was required for Batch 2, with LHFIG contributing £375 and CTC £125. A Cabinet Member report was submitted, and a decision was made to proceed with implementations on Pickwick Road, Potley Lane, The Corsham Estate, and an amended Park Lane area, while abandoning the Hatton Way site.
• Box Area Waiting Restrictions/Lining: A365 Devizes Road/A4 Box Bus stop markings, A4 Valens Terrace, Box, and A365 Chapel Lane Box. The total cost for the Traffic Regulation Order[^2] (TRO) is £6,350, with LHFIG contributing 75% (£4,762.50) and Box Parish Council (BPC) 25% (£1,587.50). [^2]: A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document used to control traffic and parking in a specific area.
• Box Dropped Kerbs: Dropped kerbs at Leafy Lane are complete and invoiced. The A4 entrance to Middlehill is under review, pending advice from structural engineers due to the proximity of a bridge.
• Lacock Traffic Calming: The LHFIG agreed to contribute £1,000 towards a substantial bid for traffic calming measures on Bowden Hill, Cantax Hill and West Street.
• Corsham Freestone Way Bus Stops: Three bus stops along Freestone Way lack clear markings, leading to cars parking on them. The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% (£1,125) of the £1,500 cost for bus stop markings, with CTC covering the remaining 25% (£375).
• B3109 Wadswick Stores Area: The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% (£507) of the £675 cost for warning signs at the Wadswick Stores area, following two minor injury road traffic collisions in the last 36 months, with BPC covering the remaining 25% (£168).
• A4 Ashley-Budgens: Parking of large lorries on the footway has caused damage and flooding issues. A scheme to raise the footway, amend drainage, and provide bollards is under development. The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% (£2,063) of the £2,750 cost for a topographical survey[^3], with BPC covering the remaining 25% (£687). [^3]: A topographical survey is a detailed mapping of an area's surface features, including elevations, natural formations, and man-made structures.
• Lacock A350 Coach Access: Coaches entering Lacock on the A350 cause traffic jams and safety concerns. The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% (£5,775) of the £7,700 cost for coach restriction signage, with Lacock Parish Council (LPC) covering the remaining 25% (£1,925).
• Neston SID Socket: The LHFIG agreed to contribute 75% (£975) of the £1,300 cost for a Speed Indicator Device[^4] (SID) socket and post in Neston, with CTC covering the remaining 25% (£325). [^4]: A Speed Indicator Device (SID) is a type of traffic calming device that displays the speed of vehicles as they approach, aiming to encourage drivers to slow down.

Chairman's Announcements

Councillor Ruth Hopkinson, Vice-Chairman of the Council, provided updates on several outcomes and actions from previous meetings:

• Corsham Health Centre: No specific details provided in the summary.
• Elections Update: Updates on postal vote renewals and the annual canvass of electors were noted.
• Police Presence in and around Corsham: No specific details provided in the summary.
• Rudloe Community Centre: No specific details provided in the summary.

Information Items

The board noted several information items, including updates from:

• Community First
• BSW Together[^5] [^5]: BSW Together is the integrated care system (ICS) for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
• Age UK
• Wiltshire Carers Champion
• Wiltshire Citizens Advice & Engagement and Partnership Team
• Wiltshire Money
• Wiltshire Police VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls)
• Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
• Bikeability
• Autumn Health & Wellbeing Event at Springfield Campus on 11 October 2025

Partner Updates

The board received verbal updates from:

• Inspector Pete Foster, Wiltshire Police
• Town & Parish Council Nominated Representatives
• Adam Walton, Pound Arts Trust
• Brunel Shed

Written updates were noted on road safety.

Elections Update

The board was reminded of changes to postal vote rules under the Elections Act 2022, which means anyone who applied for a postal vote before 31 January 2024, has until 31 January 2026 to renew it. The Elections update - September 2025 also noted that 16 and 17 year olds can now register to vote online.

Community First

The board noted the Community First update - September 2025, including the upcoming Community First AGM and Awards Celebration on 8 October 2025, and updates on various programmes such as Youth Action Wiltshire, Outdoor Education, Carers Together Wiltshire, and the Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Programme.

BSW Integrated Care Board (ICB)

The board reviewed the ICB update - September 2025, which included updates on the formation of a new cluster organisation with Dorset and Somerset ICBs, the appointment of Rob Whiteman as the new Chair, and the departure of Sue Harriman, the ICB's Chief Executive Officer. The update also noted further opportunities to find out more about the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre and a call for pregnant women and young children to get vaccinated against flu.

Age UK Wiltshire

The board was updated using the Age UK - August 2025 Newsletter on the success of the campaign on Winter Fuel Payments¹, the growth of services such as Daytime Discos and Arts & Friendship Clubs, and the expansion of the Community Connector team.

Wiltshire Carers Champions

The board was informed about the reinvigoration of the Wiltshire Carers Champions initiative, outlined in the Reinvigoration of Wiltshire Carers Champions - Sept 2025. The initiative aims to strengthen support for unpaid carers through improved visibility, engagement, and collaboration. The aim is to recruit at least one Carers Champion per Area Board (18 in total), working jointly with Engagement and Partnership and Adults Commissioning.

Wiltshire Citizens Advice

The board was made aware of the partnership between Wiltshire Citizens Advice and the Wiltshire Council Engagement and Partnerships team to ensure local advice and support services are accessible. The Citizens Advice EP briefing note - Sept 2025 noted that Wiltshire Citizens Advice is helping on average 580 Wiltshire families every month, with more than 2000 issues.

Wiltshire Police

The board was presented with the RSUpdateCorsham_02102025 which included updates on the #FATAL5 education campaign, traffic surveys, and community speed enforcement. The CTC Area Board Update - 2 October also included information on community engagement, crime statistics, and operational priorities.

Corsham Town Council

The board received an update from Corsham Town Council, as detailed in the CTC Area Board Update - 2 October, which included the extension of the No.10 town bus service, the Plastic Free Community Status award, and upcoming Christmas events.